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A Year of Celebrations: Pembroke's 400th Anniversary Draws to a Close
NEWS |
Over the course of 2024, thousands of Pembrokians past and present have celebrated 400 years of Pembroke College.
From the story of our foundation in 1624 and the events that preceded it, to the research, impact and community that epitomises Pembroke today; this year has been about celebrating everything, and everyone, that makes Pembroke who we are.
Pembrokians have enjoyed spectacular light shows; research talks on a huge range of topics; decade and subject reunions; music recitals and concerts; garden parties; 17th century food, music and dance; cross-community sports tournaments; a commemoration ball; art exhibitions; a dramatised history of the College; and so much more.
Beyond our four quads, alumni around the world have marked the anniversary with their own events and reunions, with our 149 alumni ambassadors helping to ensure that Pembrokians from 50 countries have been able to raise a glass to their College. You can read more about the year’s ambassador events here.
Alumni in Chapel Quad at the 400 Festival
Throughout the year we have documented celebrations across our online platforms. On our social media channels you’ll find highlights of the year, while on YouTube you can re-watch talks and performances, from the Fulbright Lecture to a recreation of our Foundation Day. You can read more about our flagship event, the 400 Festival, as well as view photos from the day and recordings of talks and discussions here.
Our News page captures some of what we’ve Pembrokians have been up to in College and elsewhere this year, while our 400 Hours page acts as a time capsule of Pembroke at 400, with new content shared every 400 hours throughout the year.
Students dressed as 'Pembrokians through the ages' at the 1624 Banquet
For over four centuries, our people have been central to who we are. And so in 2024, above all else, we have sought to celebrate our people and their remarkable impact over generations. Our 400 Characters gallery, grown over the course of the year thanks to nominations from across the community, shares snippets of the lives of Pembroke people from all walks of life: from founders and early benefactors to quietly loyal staff and present-day alumni making great strides in their fields. We hope that our students, alumni and staff have enjoyed learning about four centuries of inspirational individuals who have shared a common home at Pembroke.
Guests at the 400 Characters Exhibition in the JCR Art Gallery
Amidst all of this, we have looked back to our beginnings, commemorating the people and events that led to the foundation of Pembroke and the four centuries of stories collected since. Our History Book is still available to buy, and our History and Archive pages tell more stories of Pembroke past.
At the end of the year we asked alumni, staff and students to submit their favourite photographs from 400 celebrations over the course of the year - see our favourites below.
